A Dirty Dozen with FRANK MEYER – February 2025

Photo credit: Joe Welkie

According to a recent press release: “Ever wonder what happens when you mix punk rock, cinematic revenge, and a flamethrower-wielding heroine? No? Well, Frank Meyer did—so he made a music video about it. “Baby Dynamite” (out now) isn’t just a single; it’s an explosive, feminist-tinged love story with enough chaos to make Tarantino and John Waters proud. The video (inspired by the indie cult film Bellflower) follows a woman who’s had enough of creepy dudes and decides to incinerate them on her way to true love. It’s dark, hilarious, and, frankly, the kind of thing we need more of in rock ‘n’ roll. This is just the first taste of Frank’s debut solo album, Living Between the Lines, out March 11 via Kitten Robot Records. You already know Frank from his days fronting The Streetwalkin’ Cheetahs and running wild with FEAR, Wayne Kramer, and James Williamson, but this time, he’s stepping out on his own. Think high-energy rock, laced with blues, soul, and guest spots from legends like Cherie Currie, Lisa Kekaula, and Eddie Spaghetti. Or, as Frank puts it, his Tom Petty album—but, you know, with more distortion and danger.” We get Frank to discuss new music, influences, and more…

1. Tell us a little about your upcoming release. What might a fan or listener not grab the first or second time they listen through?  Are there any hidden nuggets you put in the material or that only diehard fans might find?

Living Between The Lines is my debut solo album. My whole career I have always been a lead vocalist or a guitar sideman, but during the pandemic I made a collaboration album with my buddy Eddie Spaghetti of the Supersuckers, and that was the first time it said “Frank Meyer” on an album cover. That album (Motherfuckin’ Rock ‘N’ Roll) did well, and it felt like a good setup to finally make a solo album. I’m still playing in my bands the Streetwalkin’ Cheetahs and Trading Aces, plus playing guitar with FEAR and Handsome Dick Manitoba, but now I can go out on my own (or with my backing band) and tour and play any song I want from my catalog. It gives me a lot of freedom and flexibility.

2. What got you into music, and can you tell us about the moment you realized you wanted to be a musician?

As a kid I was always very passionate about music. Joan Jett was my hero. But it was hearing Van Halen one night over the radio that made me pick up a guitar and want to be a musician. Something about Eddie’s guitar just transfixed me. Still does. Soon enough, around age 12, I met Dweezil Zappa, and he took it upon himself to give me guitar lessons. We had a band together (with actor River Phoenix!) and soon I started my own garage band and was out playing the clubs.

3. Building on that, is there a specific song, album, performer, or live show that guided your musical taste?

Well, Eddie Van Halen was the musician that inspired me to pick up the guitar, but I could never play like that. He was way too good. But soon I heard the New York Dolls, and their guitarist Johnny Thunders was much closer to what I sounded like and my skill level. I loved his sound and his look, and the Dolls were a huge inspiration as well. Eddie inspired me to play guitar, but the Dolls made me form a band!

4. If you could call in any one collaborator to do a song with, who would it be, and why?

I would love to do a song with Ginger from the legendary cult UK band The Wildhearts. He’s a songwriter I really admire and, like I aspire to, he plays lots of different styles and can write in many genres. I bet we’d come up with something wild and full of hooks. He appreciates a good pop hook, just like I do.

5. What is your favorite activity when out of the studio and/or not on tour?  What do you like to do to unwind?

I love spending time with my dog Mojo. He’s a 65-pound pit / lab mix that I rescued and is just such a great boy. So, walking my dog, taking him to the parks and the beach, and taking him with me to bars and restaurants is something I enjoy. Around town, many know me as simply “Mojo’s dad.”

6. How would you describe your music to someone who’d never listened to you before? What is the one comparison a reviewer or fan has made that made you cringe or you disagreed with?

I play hard edged rock ‘n’ roll with lots of hooks. On my solo album there’s a more blues / soul vibe happening. Classic rock, if you will. With Streetwalkin’ Cheetahs, it’s much more aggressive, faster punk-inspired music. With my European band Trading Aces, the sound is more hard rock / heavy metal. But the common thread is always strong songs and catchy hooks. Cheap Trick is a big inspiration across the board.

7. When your band is hanging out together, who cooks, who gets the drinks in, and who is first to crack out the acoustic guitars for a singalong?

I am the only one who cooks in my bands, that’s for sure! But usually on the road we are just eating pizza and burgers like every other touring band. As far as drinks go, I’m usually the biggest drinker in my bands, except my bassist Christain Kimmet, who plays in my solo band and tours with Trading Aces, can drink all of us under the table and still be standing. And we’re not really sing-along type guys. I do play lots of acoustic and do acoustic solo shows all the time, but I’m not really a sing-along at the party type guy.

8. When was the last time you were starstruck and who was it?

The only person I have ever been starstruck around was Mick Jagger. I met him backstage once and was speechless. I mean, he’s friggin’ Mick Jagger!!!!!

9. What is the best part of being a musician? If you could no longer be a musician for whatever reason, what would be your dream job?

The best part of being a musician is getting to travel around the world and play music for people that enjoy what I do. I love traveling and meeting new people, eating new foods, and drinking new beers. Learning how to play guitar was the greatest thing that ever happened to me and has taken me around the globe. It’s the gift that keeps on giving. When I’m not playing music, I am a director and an author. I have directed several documentary films, tons of TV and digital content, many music videos, and have written 8 published books (On The Road With The Ramones being the most famous). So those are the dream jobs I would want if I wasn’t playing music, and I am already doing them. So, I’m good.

10. What is one question you have always wanted an interviewer to ask – and what is the answer? Conversely, what question are you tired of answering?

No one has ever asked me about the non-musical influence on my music. Artists are inspired by so many different things and it’s not always by the exact art they make. So, for me, movies have a big influence on my music. A lot of times when I write a song, I think about it visually and wonder, “What kind of movie would this be?” I try to visualize the song like one would look at a three-act script to a film. Beginning, middle and end. In the end, I want the song to hit me the way the film that inspired it might. Ice Cube once said, “The most important part of the lyrics are the first line and the last line,” and I think that’s a great point. I suppose I get a little tired of people asking me about my much more famous actor brother Breckin Meyer. Except I really don’t get too tired of that because he’s such a good guy, does great work, and we get along so well. But I live in Hollywood, so I get a lot of people asking me about the famous people I grew up with.

11. Looking back over your career, is there a single moment or situation you feel was a misstep or you would like to have a “do over,” even if it didn’t change your current situation?

I would never want a manager again. Every time I have had one it has turned out to be a big mistake. I understand why a super-famous rock star like Lady Gaga or Axl Rose would need one, but for the rest of us, it’s unnecessary. Get out there, learn the ropes, and make your own decisions. You might need an agent to book gigs, but you don’t need a manager to take a cut just for giving your (often) bad advice.

12. If you could magically go back in time and be a part of the recording sessions for any one record in history, which would you choose – and what does that record mean to you?

Well, I spent a fair amount of my time as a teen in the studio watching Frank Zappa record, so I feel pretty fulfilled in this category. I got to jam with him, watch him work, and even got sampled by him once. But if I had to choose one particular session, I would love to be there for the recording of Exile on Main Street by the Rolling Stones. They rented a house in France, set up a studio, did tons of drugs, drank great wine, smoked all the dope, and made the greatest double album in rock history. Can you imagine how crazy those sessions woulda been. Decadence, baby!

FRANK MEYER LINKS:

OFFICIAL SITE

FACEBOOK

INSTAGRAM

Category: Interviews